Sport Teams, Fans, and Twitter

In Sport Teams, Fans, and Twitter: The Influence of Social Media on Relationships and Branding, author Brandi Watkins takes the reader through a thoughtful examination of social media as it applies to the world of sport. [. . . .] She provides a holistic approach that meshes sound theory and detailed examination addressing pertinent communication and marketing themes. [. . .] It provides plentiful information espousing important concepts associated with social media, including communication strategies, relationship building, and effective brand management. Individuals teaching subjects such as sport communication and sport marketing can greatly benefit from this, as can their students. Industry professionals can also learn a great deal from the data-driven results imparted throughout this work. * International Journal of Sport Communication *

Grounded in theory and original research that uses mixed methodologies and quantitative and qualitative data, Watkins' work fills a unique and important void as she analyzes social media management and engagement in the sport industry from an integrated marketing communication approach.

-- Paul M. Pedersen, Indiana University–Bloomington

In this book that is in equal parts detailed, scholarly, and accessible, Watkins achieves something that is far more often sought than attained: a holistic approach to sport and social media that merges communication with marketing as well as academicians with industry leaders.

-- Andrew C. Billings, The University of Alabama

Watkins investigates the use of social media by sports teams and other organizations in the sport industry to build brand loyalty and increase connections with fans. Her timely work provides a comprehensive review of the latest sport brand and relationship management research, and she offers additional insights through empirical studies. This book can benefit scholars looking to conduct social media research in sports. The findings also can assist sport practitioners seeking to connect with fans through Twitter.

-- Marion Evan Hambrick, University of Louisville